Chapter Nine

The nest was cozy, but Delun’s room was bright and open with a sturdy lock on the door.

There was a stack of condoms next to the bed, so she knew he had been planning for company.

She looked at the condoms and back at Delun.

He chuckled. “Grigory said you were not good at ensuring that you were protected, so I stopped by the nest and grabbed some of them earlier. Just in case.”

“I am glad that you gave me the benefit of the doubt after this morning.”

His eyes narrowed happily. “Yes, I will be enjoying the residual scent of you on my desk for quite some time.”

“Where did my panties end up?”

He grinned. “In my desk. In case I need a pick-me-up in the middle of the day.”

She blushed and ducked her head. He sat on his bed and arranged her so that she was straddling his lap.

“Take off your blouse, but then, put the jacket back on. Leave the shoes on.” He smirked “And put on the panties. I have plans for them.”

She nodded and unbuttoned the jacket, sliding it off, and then, she pulled the black shell off, sitting for a moment with the cool air on her skin while Delun stared at her, and then, she slid the red jacket on. It covered her breasts but left a gap down to three inches above her navel. She tugged the lacy underwear up under her skirt and smoothed everything into place.

He let out that growling purr, and he cupped her breasts inside the jacket. He bent his head and lifted her up to his mouth. He started with searching lips, and then, the suction of his mouth nearly yanked her out of her skirt. She whimpered and squirmed, crying out softly as his very talented mouth molested her right breast, and she sobbed lightly.

She touched his head tentatively, but when she made contact, he pushed his head against her hand. She wove her fingers through thick strands of hair and arched up into his mouth as the suction pulled and tugged at a nervous reaction between her breast and her womb. Slick perfumed the air, and her hips started to rock with the tugging.

One hand supported her back, and the other slid past the lace of her panties. He thrust two fingers into her, and she moaned. He used his fingers and his tongue, and her soft cries climbed higher until she was bucking against his hand. He stroked her clit with his thumb, and she shook in his grip, wailing as his hand was coated with slick.

He moved his hand inside her, slipped a third finger into her, and that kicked off another wave of spasms. She clenched tight on his fingers, and he murmured, “Oh, petal. That was amazing. Do it again.”

She clenched again.

He nuzzled her breasts. “Can you do that with me inside you?”

She whimpered as his fingers kept moving.

His voice got dark. “Can you, precious?”

She squeezed his fingers. “Yes.”

“Good. I won’t knot you tonight. We need you bright for your appointment.”

His fingers slipped and slid against her until her new panties were just soaked.

He slipped his fingers away from her, taking the lace with them. He let them go.

“Strip, petal.”

She removed her shoes, skirt, jacket, and panties.

“Hop on the bed, petal. We are going to do this the standard way.” He took the panties and put them in his jacket pocket.

“What are you doing with them?”

He grinned. “I have a desk here, too, pet.”

“Desk panties?”

He shrugged. “We all have our stress relievers. I think being able to inhale your scent when I am stressed will be very relaxing to my emotional state. Yes, I will have an erection for the rest of the day, but you will be available when I need you. If we are mated and bonded, you will know and may be able to come for a visit on a bad day.” He stripped out of his suit with efficient movements and smoothed her suit over a chair, complete with blouse. The shoes were tucked under the chair.

She turned on her side and drew a leg up. He paused and then started moving more rapidly. “So, I am going to have to sneak to my nest for underwear.”

“No, you are not. I don’t want you to wear any for the appointment.”

“What? Why not?”

He grinned. “Because I am going to be with you in the car there and back, and if you are aroused, the healing works better, and the pain can’t get a grip.”

“And my underwear...”

“Gets in my way.”

“Oh. Can I replace those panties later and switch them out for something else? That particular set was a gift, and I don’t have a lot of things that have just been given. I will have to get the other set from Grigory; he is probably jerking off into them as we speak.”

“No. He had to go to work. He runs nightclubs, so he works evenings. Until two in the morning.”

She looked down at her hands and then up toward him through her lashes. “So, you guys all took time off for me today.”

He turned from the chair and looked at her. “Oh, petal. Of course. We are all booking off for your heat as well. And the next one, and the next one.” He smiled as he approached her. “And hopefully, a birth and birthdays. All major holidays... well, you get the idea.”

He was a lovely soft gold all over. Thick black hair, dark gold eyes, and a body to rival any ancient statue, but with far more than a fig leaf where his cock was. She had a strange and greedy urge, reaching for him.

“Please?” She went up on her knees and tried to touch him. She was familiar enough with his scent that she accepted him as her mate. Her cognitive faculties were fading, and she just wanted.

He caught her hands and bore her back to the bed. “On your back, petal.”

She whined and squirmed against him. Arching her hips toward him. He growled. “Behave, petal.”

She growled back. “No.”

He paused and then started laughing. His cock was near her, and she arched her hips up and tried to catch him. He let her arms go and lunged for a condom before trying to roll it on. She beat him to it. Her mouth took him deep to the knot, and he groaned, throwing his head back. She sucked hard, pulling back as she moved forward and back, gripping his hips.

She felt the tremor in his muscles, and then, he pulled her away, and she whined hard, a demand in the tone. He slipped from her lips.

His weight pressed her down, and she continued to try and buck under him, but he was solid. He cursed and got the condom on.

She bit her lip and continued to wrestle with him until he had her pinned with her hands above her head and he was pressing into her. A light purr started, and he laughed as he slowly pressed into her. “You are a handful, petal.”

She arched up toward him, taking him deeper.

“No hurry, petal. Nothing will stop your fun.” He kissed her softly. “We just need to make sure that you get to sleep at a decent hour.”

“Who needs sleep?” Her tone was startlingly throaty.

He thrust softly, going deeper with every move. “Ladies who are having a type of surgery in the morning need the rest.”

She huffed and moved with him. “We can skip the surgery, and you can go in even later to work, and we can play.”

“Oh, you are tempting.”

She wrapped her legs around his and slid them up and down the back of his thighs.

“We don’t have to do everything at once. God, what am I saying?” He laughed.

She undulated against him. “Does the condom cover your knot?”

He continued thrusting and said warily, “Why?”

She waited for a few more strokes and smiled slyly. “Just asking.”

He kissed her and thrust into her, the broad weight of him moving across her body, making her sweaty and slippery. She circled her hips against him, and he shifted up, so he was pressing on her clit with every thrust. Her gasping turned to sharp whines, and when she felt her body start to clasp around him, she jerked upward with her hips and wrapped his knot, then she clenched down on him.

“Lexa!” He grunted, and his body shook. She could feel the flex inside her, but there wasn’t any cum. She wanted that heat.

She clenched again, milking him. He grunted again, and they were locked together.

He looked at her in astonishment. “How did you do that?”

She giggled and leaned up to kiss him. He was still stunned, so she licked his jaw and nuzzled his neck. Her tiny purr was funny to her, but he rubbed his head along hers, and he asked, “You are fine with the knot?”

She nodded with a smile. “Yeah. I tried to get Grigory, but he dodged me.”

He licked her cheek before kissing her again. “I have not tried to get my knot in anyone. I always thought it would be uncomfortable for the lady.”

“You have had them beg?”

He blushed. “Yes. I did not think it would be comfortable.”

She undulated against him. The knot and her slippery skin fought for position with the condom between them. “Comfortable? No. Exactly what I want, yes. Just like there is a good ache from a hard fuck, this is kind of in the same category. It doesn’t feel comfortable, but it wouldn’t be the same without it.”

He muttered, “What are you doing?”

“Pursuing my own pleasure. The knot stretches everything tight, and when I do this, it hits my g-spot and the tissue around my clit.”

He growled. “I want to watch.”

She patted his shoulders. “Roll over.”

He rolled to his back, and she shuddered as she settled against him, their connection only allowing for short motions. She rose up onto her knees and rocked on him with a slow roll of her hips. She lifted her hair off her neck, stroked a hand down her breasts and belly and kept moving. She stroked her skin and moved on him, happy in her own little blissed-out universe until an orgasm fluttered her around him again. He growled and arched under her, lifting her off the bed as her body took his along for the ride.

He went deeper, and then, she felt the rush of her own fluid out of her. His knot had released her.

She moved off him, holding the condom at its base. He was panting and covered in her; he reached up and brought her down to kiss her. When he gave her room to move, she chuckled. “Don’t start, or I will whip off that condom and get right back on you.”

She leaned to one side and watched as he got out of bed and removed the condom, heading to the restroom to dispose of it. She looked at herself and was mortified. What felt amazing when she was hot got embarrassing when she was sober.

She pulled some of the sheets up, started to look around and then grabbed her clothes and was going to make a run for it. Arms grabbed her from behind, and he stroked her hair, scraping her neck with his teeth. “Good girl, lovely girl, such a brave, beautiful omega. Wonderful, sexy, Lexa.”

She stopped the panicked whimpering, and he kept complimenting her, rubbing his scent onto her. “Poor darling, all that effort and nothing to show for it.”

She whined and arched her head back. He stroked her neck, body and kept murmuring to her until her panic stopped.

She turned back to him and started crying. “What the fuck was that?”

He cuddled her against him and sat back in bed, against the headboard with her on his lap. “That was a rejected-mate response. If you are with an alpha, and he doesn’t mark you, your instinct is to get the hell out of there. If he didn’t mark you, you did something wrong. So, your instinct is to run.”

“It felt like the worst panic attack ever and that you were going to come out and break my skull.” She sniffled.

“Never, petal, but instincts are instincts.” He nuzzled her. “You were set off by the scent of my release without a bond mark.”

“Ah. So, let’s not do that again.”

“We are going to do it in your heat and until you ask for marks.”

“Wait. I have to ask for them?” She stared at him.

He smiled. “It is a modern affectation. So that consent is maintained.”

She leaned back. “It’s embarrassing.”

“Perhaps. Why would you think it’s embarrassing?” He caressed her hip.

She swallowed. “It is like asking for help. I am used to people saying no.”

He stroked her hair. “Oh, my beautiful golden girl. We would not say no to you. But I would like your other mark repaired to see if you still have a link with Arthur. He will have to renew it, but my mark will go here.” He traced his fingers on the left side of her neck. He stroked his fingers on the right. “Grigory will mark you here.”

She blinked. “All around the neck and shoulders?”

He tapped her nose. “Think of it as a bear hug.”

She sighed. “You just want it visible.”

“You need to be visibly protected, and we don’t mind overlapping.”

“So, this is a message to...”

“I have seen your run-ins with law enforcement. Visible marks will make them look you up, and my name on your registration might get you released without an arrest.” He kissed her cheek.

“You think they will still come after me?”

“A few like to hunt women who work sex-industry-adjacent for fun.” He shrugged. “Grigory is going to set you up with drivers and bodyguards.”

She smiled. “He knows a lot of people.”

Delun grinned. “I am in charge of your physical maintenance. My family owns a lot of restaurants and high-end salons. That is the benefit of having many ladies in the family.”

“What do the men do?”

“Legal, real estate, financial management.” He shrugged.

“Are they all ursas?”

He chuckled. “No, most are standard alphas with a nice boring bark.”

She nodded. “Okay. For some reason, I seem hardwired for your body type, so I am glad that I won’t be distracted when folks visit.”

He cuddled her. “That is a first. I have been told that I am intimidating.”

She leaned her head against him and chuckled. “No, you are just right.”

“That sounds like a fairy tale, golden girl.”

“Nope. A delightful reality.” She cuddled into his chest and stroked his shoulder. She let out her light purr again.

He chuckled and rubbed his head against hers with the growling purr in response. They spent a few minutes scent marking each other, and then, the kisses started up again. Delun was really good at kissing.

He piled up pillows on the bed so she could curl up between him and them. She was exhausted, her body was throbbing, and her purr came and went as she nodded off. He had a slow smile on his lips as he kissed her softly, and she nodded off.

She woke up to his light caress on her arm. “Lexa. If you want to make pancakes for Hailey, you have to get up now.”

She stretched, and he ran his hand over her breasts and belly. “Morning, Delun.”

He helped her up, and she sighed. “I have to shower.”

He grinned. “I can help.”

“Hmm. It’s going to take me a bit to unravel my hair.”

He laughed. “Check it. I did it before I woke you.”

She ran her hands through her hair, and her fingers slid. All the connections that Illyana had put in place were gone.

“Thank you, Judge Hall.”

He snorted and spanked her thigh. “Go and get showered so you can take my scent down a few notches. Rutting ursas have strong scents.”

“Oh, is that what you were doing?” She saw his narrowed eyes, and she scrambled out of bed and headed for the shower in a playful sprint.

Never run.She felt the weight of him behind her, and then, she was carried into the shower without losing momentum. He was growling and snuffling around her neck while his hand turned the water on, and when she heard the spray, he lifted her and slid inside. She gasped, and her fingers scrambled for purchase on the smooth tile as he thrust into her over and over again; she came fast, bucking against him, and he slid into her to the hilt, his knot locking them together. She clenched, and he grunted, spilling ropes of cum into her.

She shook and sobered up quickly when she realized what just happened. His chest was heaving against her back.

“Oh, Lexa. I am so sorry.”

She nodded and tried to remain calm. “I am sure it’s fine. I mean, it should be, right? Even if I stopped the meds yesterday, I should still have three to four days before ovulation, and then, it takes time for the egg to get down to where the sperm can get at it.”

“Are you comforting yourself with a biology lecture?” He stroked her throat.

“It is definitely better than lullabies, but I am freaking out right now.” She gave a strangled laugh. “I know not to run. The first thing they tell you is not to run. What do I do? Pick a play fight with a bear.”

Delun sighed. “I love that you were comfortable enough with me to play. If we weren’t on the way to the clinic this morning, I would mark you right now, without your asking.” He started licking her shoulder with long, slow drags of his tongue. “Right here.”

She gasped, and her channel fluttered around him again, bringing another grunt and more cum. She panted shallowly, and he slid a hand around their bodies and caressed her clit where the skin was all stretched and slippery. She moaned, and she came again, and one final time before he was able to pull out. He eased her under the spray and steadied her as she washed and conditioned her hair and then washed the rest of her. When she was clean of external traces of him, he hugged her. “I am sorry that happened.”

Lexa sighed. “I am sorry I ran.”

He kissed her lips. “Nothing to be sorry for, but brush your teeth. You taste like my cock.”

She gasped with outrage and smacked him. The tension was over, and they would deal with whatever happened.

She did brush her teeth.